PLUS GZ-RELATED NECK PAIN - A FOLLOW-UP-STUDY

This epidemiologic study was aimed at detecting determinants of acute inflight neck pain. It followed a cohort of 66 student fighter pilots from 1 to 3 years. These pilots were frequently exposed to high +Gz fo rces. The number of flight hours, strenuousness of work, job satisfact ion, symptoms suggesting psychologic distress, smoking habits, and the frequency of muscle strength, muscle endurance, and aerobic training were investigated by questionnaires at the beginning and end of the fo llow-up period. Physical examination, consisting of measurement of hei ght, body weight, body mass index, head and neck circumference, passiv e cervical range of motion, grip strength, and isometric strength of n eck muscles was done only at the beginning of the study. The cumulativ e incidence of acute inflight neck pain was 37.9%. The number of fligh t hours was found to be the only significant determinant of acute infl ight neck pain.